Paintings by premier Bradford artist Sir William Rothenstein smashed all expectations when they went under the hammer.

The collection - many on sale for the first time - raised £330,012, much more than the £209,000 estimated by Sotheby's experts.

The top lot at yesterday's sale in London was a portrait of Max Beerbohm - Sir William's long-standing friend - which raised £34,800 compared to the estimate of between £10-£15,000.

Another painting, which had been tipped to sell for between £3,000-£4,000, went for £24,000.

Sir William, who died in 1945, was a close friend of Oscar Wilde and was most famous for his portraits of prominent figures including Einstein, Thomas Hardy and Bernard Shaw.

He was the son of a German wool merchant who lived in Manningham and went to Bradford Grammar School along with Sir Frank Dyson and composer Frederick Delius.

Freya Simms, a spokesman for Sotheby's, said: "Sir William is a very sought- after artist and it was a very interesting collection.

"Whenever a privately-owned collection comes up for sale they tend to go well. The place was absolutely packed and there were a lot of telephone bidders too."

She said the Beerbohm portrait was special because of the friendship between the two over many years and because it echoed the period well.

Beerbohm read the address at the memorial service to Sir William after his death from heart trouble.

The paintings were put up for sale by Sir William's granddaughter Lucy Dyvenor.

His great nephew Max Rutherston said: "We are very pleased with the result.

"The aim was to pitch the estimates so as not to put people off.

"I enjoy pictures his when he was at his best but he can be uneven.

"But it proves his reputation and his taste has been justified today."